The Bahamas has breeding populations of 5 of the world’s 7 sea turtle species – Green, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Leatherback and Kemp’s Ridley turtles (the other two are Olive Ridley – occasionally found in the Bahamas – and Flatback turtles). All are endangered. There’s no getting away from the fact that Man and Man’s activities are now the primary threats. The IUCN ratings below make for sad reading.

GREEN TURTLE (Chelonia mydas)

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HAWKSBILL TURTLE (Eretmochelys imbricata)

Hunted almost to extinction for their shells

LOGGERHEAD TURTLE (Caretta caretta)

LEATHERBACK TURTLE (Dermochelys coriacea)

The largest sea turtle

KEMP’S RIDLEY TURTLE(Lepidochelys kempii)

The smallest sea turtle

A helpful source of information about sea turtles and their protection is the BAHAMAS SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION GROUP Their excellent summary of the multiple threats to these creatures (below) puts the…